Homeostatic plasticity is a negative feedback mechanism that stabilizes neurons during periods of perturbed activity. The best-studied form of homeostatic plasticity in the central nervous system is the scaling of excitatory synapses. Postsynaptic AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) can be inserted into synapses to compensate for neuronal inactivity or removed to compensate for hyperactivity. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the homeostatic regulation of AMPARs remain elusive. Here, we show that the expression of GRIP1, a multi-PDZ (postsynaptic density 95/discs large/zona occludens) domain AMPAR-binding protein, is bidirectionally altered by neuronal activity. Furthermore, we observe a subcellular redistribution of GRIP1 and a change in the binding of GRIP1 to GluA2 during synaptic scaling. Using a combination of biochemical, genetic, and electrophysiological methods, we find that loss of GRIP1 blocks the accumulation of surface AMPARs and the scaling up of synaptic strength that occur in response to chronic activity blockade. Collectively, our data point to an essential role of GRIP1-mediated AMPAR trafficking during inactivity-induced synaptic scaling.
Keywords: PDZ domain; glutamate receptor; postsynaptic density; synaptic scaling.